Many businesses are currently undergoing reviews to determine the best way to cut costs and maximise profitability in such an uncertain economic landscape. ERP software is the driving force behind businesses, according to MAM Software, which claimed there is no better time to ensure software has the core values of protecting margins and driving sales.
Autopart is the versatile business management solution that seamlessly integrates sales, stock management, account and reporting processes into one easy-to-use package. As well as many processes that are fundamental to a successful business, Autopart is filled with intuitive features that can streamline, digitise and maximise productivity in an economic climate where a smart business strategy is vital to success.
MAM Software Automotive Sales Manager, Ben Nicholls, reveals his 10 top tips for streamlining efficiencies whilst protecting margins using Autopart:
- Maximise margins: Diving into invoices, costs and trends through in-depth reporting gives a clear view of margins, including where they are too low. In MAM’s Autopart system, this process is simple, and all reports can be automated in the day-end to ensure this important information gets to the right person so it can be acted upon efficiently
- The right stock at the right time: Analyse part usages to ensure the right amount of stock. Autopart recommends new minimum and maximum stock levels. These figures can be used to generate suggested purchase orders, ensuring only the right amount of stock is ordered
- Money left on the shelf?: Slow-moving and unprofitable products can eat into margins. Autopart can analyse sales trends across single or multi-site locations and adjust stock levels accordingly. This leaves more profitable stock and fewer unnecessary purchases
- Extend business and trade online 24/7: Having an online presence increases the opportunity for sales. MAM Software’s ecommerce solutions allow the user to receive all their online orders immediately into their MAM business management system for onward processing. Once on the site, customers can browse a product catalogue, search for products and add them to their basket. They will see their own prices (trade or retail), as well as product images, datasheets and the accurate availability of stock
- Control pricing: The key to profitable sales is a pricing strategy that reflects customers’ varying pricing needs. Autopart can help define and manage complex pricing models or run special offers tailored by item, product group, customer and/or date
- Source parts from branches first: Companies with multiple branches can utilise Autopart’s stock levelling. This automated process analyses branch stock levels and sources parts from other branches where possible – saving money on unnecessary purchase orders to suppliers
- Go paperless: Many businesses still rely on costly, inefficient paper communications. If sending invoices, statements or promotional material by post, Autopart can save users money by communicating with customers directly via email and SMS text messaging
- Increase the average order value: This is a great way to improve profits from existing customers. Autopart makes it easy to take advantage of cross-sell and upsell opportunities by linking relevant products together for staff to recommend at the point-of-sale
- Run promotions: Attract new customers, launch products, ensure customers feel like they are getting value for money or offload excess stock using sales promotions. Autopart makes this easy and simple to do using its sales promotions tool
- Reducing customer returns: Integrated into Autopart is Autocat, a widely recognised, industry-standard parts catalogue that lets users quickly find and compare components from a wide range of suppliers by matching parts to particular vehicles, helping to ensure the right part, first time
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